54 SERMONS upon Serra. ., (1.) By his Word. (2.) By his Providence. (1.) By his Word. There is no calling and courfe of Service good, but what is agreeable to the Word of God ; Pfal.r 19.105. Thy Word is a Light unto my Feet, and a Lamp unta my Paths. We mull not fettle in a finful courfe of Life. Men may tole- rate Evil Callings, but God never appointed them. As for inftance, if any Calling and Courfe.of Life be againft Piety, Temperance, Juftice, it is againit the Word, Titus a. 12. Teaching to, that denying Vngodlinef, and Worldly Lulls, we Jimmie' liv* faberly, righteoufly, and godly in this prefent World. Againft Piety ; as tó be an Idola- trous Priefs, or to snake Shrines for Idols, which was Demetrios his Calling in Ephefiu; and Tertullian, in his Book de Idololatria, fheweth, this was the pra &ice of many Chrifli- ans, to get their Livings by making Statues and Images, and other Ornaments, to fell to Heathen Idolaters. Againft Jullice ; as Piracy, Lllury, and other opprefiive Courfes. Againtt Sobriety ; as fuch_Callings, as meetly tend to feed the Luxury, Pride, and Va- nity of Men-i fo Mountebanks, Comedians, Stage - Players. It were endlefs to instance in all. In general, the Calling mutt be good and lawful. (2.) By his Providence, which ruleth in every thing that falleth out, even to the leak Matters, efpeeially bath the Lord a great Hand in Callings, and appointing to every one his Eftate and Condition of Life. In Paradife, God let Adam his Work, to drefs and prune the Trees of the Garden, Gen. 2. 15. And flill he doth not only give Abilities, and fpecial Inclinations, but alto difpofeth of the Education of the Parent, and the Paffages of Mens Lives to bring them to fuch a Calling. Ifa. 54. td. Behold, I have created the Smith, that bloweth the coals in the Fire, and that bringeth forth an In- firument for his Work. Common Trades and Crafts are from the Lord. The Heathens had a feveral God for every leveral Trade, as the Papifls now have a tutelar Saint but they rob God of his Honour, he giveth the Faculty and the Bleffing : Ifa. 28. 24, to the end ; His God cloth infiruli him to difcretion, and Both teach him, &c. He giveth the State, and appointeththe Work. Your particular Elate and Condition of Life doth not come by Chance, or by the Care, Will, and Pleafure of Man, but the Or- dination of God, without whom a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground. In the higher Callings of Miniftry, and Magistracy, there is a greater folemnity. But how fhould a Man glorify God in his Place and Station wherein (`sod'hath fell him? ,,fnfw. I. Be content with it, God is the Matter of the Scenes, and appoints which Part to aft. We mutt not prefcribe to Providence, at what rate we will be main- tained, nor what we will do, but keep within the Bounds of our Place. If you do any thing that is not within the compàfs of your Calling, _you can have no warrant that it pleafeth God. Chrifl would not intermeddleout of his Calling. Luke 12. 14. Man, who made me a yudg, or a Divider over you? Vzzah's putting his Hand to the Ark, colt him dear. if Troubles atife, we cannot Puffer them comfortably, we are Out of God's way. Molt of our late Mifchiel came from invading Callings ; as there are Confufions in Nature, when Elements are out of their Places. God is glorified and ferved in a lower Calling, as well as in an higher : Poor Servants' may adorn the Gofpelof God our Saviour in all things, Tit. 2. 10. 4nfw. 2. With Patience digest: the Inconveniences of your Calling. Affliâion at- tendeth every Sate and condition of Life, but we mull go through chearfully, when in our way and place. 4. This Work, rauft be ftnifbed and perfeoled ; we mull be working, till God call us off by Death, or irrefltible Providences. We mutt perfift, hold out in God's Way without Defe&ion. Rev. 2. 10. Be thou fúthfirl unto the Death, I will give thee a Crown of Life. Get the Gift of Perfeverance ; happy are they that have pall fuch a tempeftuous Sea with (safety. He was a foolilh Builder, who laid the Foundation of a (lately Fabrick, and was not able to fnifh it. O when this is done, we may refign up our felves to the Mercy of God. 2 Tim. 4. 7, 8. i have fought a, good Fight, I have finilhed my Courfi, I have kept the Faith. Henceforth is laid up for m.e a Crown of Righte- oufnef, which the Lord the Righteous.gudg fhsll give me at that day ; and not to me only, but unto them alfa that love his appearing. It is an excellent thing, after fuch a dangerous Voyage, to come Cafe to Shore. How fweet is it to enjoy our pats Lives, and yield up our Spirits to God, fa; ing, Lord, I have made it my ftudy to glorify thee. Ifa. 38. 3. Remember now, 0 Lord, I befeech thee, howl have walked before thee in Truth, and with perfeJ Heart, and have done that which is good in thy fight. Others Souls are taken away, but yours are refigned. li. Why
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=